GORDON, WILLIAM FITZHUGH. Planter, lawyer, and statesman; was the second son of James
Gordon, of Orange. He was born at Germanna, January 13th, 1787, and after reading law in Fredericksburg practised
for several years at Orange. He was a member of the House of Delegates from Albemarle, serving for a long period
as chairman of the judiciary committee, and was instrumental in the enactment of legislation establishing the University
of Virginia. For several sessions he was a member of the United States House of Representatives, and was the originator
of the Independent or Sub Treasury system. He was a member of the famous Convention of 1829-30, and formulated
the scheme of representation, which was finally accepted by the Convention, known as as the "Mixed Basis."
He was brigadier, and later, major general of the State Militia. He married, first, December 12, 1809, Mary Robinson
Rootes, "Federal Hill," Fredericksburg, who died without issue; second, January 21, 1813, Elizabeth Lindsay,
daughter of Col. Reuben Lindsay, of Albemarle County, and of this marriage were born twelve children.
General Gordon was a democrat of the States' Rights school, and a fervid and eloquent speaker. He died at his residence,
"Edgeworth," in Albemarle, five miles west of Gordonsville, August 28, 1858.
A History of Orange County, Virginia
By: W. W. Scott
Everett Waddey & Co.
Richmond, Va. 1907
For all your genealogy needs visit Linkpendium